I downloaded info from the ATF site trying to figure out if attaching a vertical foregrip to a Century Arms Model 39 (AK-47 "Pistol") is legal. The wording in the Gun Control Act of 1968 and the National Firearms Act seem pretty nebulous and to be honest, I am totally bamboozled.

Does anyone know FOR SURE what conditions must be met in order for a vertical foregrip to be attached?

Would a Federal Tax Stamp cover this, or is that not even needed?

Many thanks fellas!

__________________
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Essentially, adding a vertical foregrip to a pistol, according to the ATF changes the pistol to an AOW. (Pistols are designed to be fired by one hand. Adding a vertical foregrip changes that to a two handed firearm.)

If the OAL of the firearm is greater than 26" then it is not an AOW, but merely a firearm. You MAY add a Vertical foregrip to a fiream greater than 26" in length without creating an NFA firearm.

You may make an AOW, if you wish. It's the same process as making an SBR and in fact the same cost as making an SBR. You fill out a 5320.1 (Form 1) and send it to the ATF, wait 6 months for it to come back, and you add your vertical foregrip.

Most folks who do this, just end up putting a stock on it and making them into SBR's. You can remove the stock any time you want to go to the two handed AOW, but you have the option of adding a stock to it as well.

“Handgun” is defined under Federal law to mean, in part, a firearm which has a short stock and is designed to be held and fired by the use of a single hand…. Gun Control Act of 1968, 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(29).

Under an implementing regulation of the National Firearms Act (NFA), 27 C.F.R. § 479.11, “pistol” is defined as:

… a weapon originally designed, made, and intended to fire a projectile (bullet) from one or more barrels when held in one hand, and having (a) a chamber(s) as an integral part(s) of, or permanently aligned with, the bore(s); and (b) a short stock designed to be gripped by one hand and at an angle to and extending below the line of the bore(s).

The NFA further defines the term “any other weapon” (AOW) as:

… any weapon or device capable of being concealed on the person from which a shot can be discharged through the energy of an explosive, a pistol or revolver having a barrel with a smooth bore designed or redesigned to fire a fixed shotgun shell, weapons with combination shotgun and rifle barrels 12 inches or more, less than 18 inches in length, from which only a single discharge can be made from either barrel without manual reloading, and shall include any such weapon which may be readily restored to fire. Such term shall not include a pistol or revolver having a rifled bore, or rifled bores, or weapons designed, made, or intended to be fired from the shoulder and not capable of firing fixed ammunition. 26 U.S.C. § 5845(e).

ATF has long held that by installing a vertical fore grip on a handgun, the handgun is no longer designed to be held and fired by the use of a single hand. Therefore, if individuals install a vertical fore grip on a handgun, they are “making” a firearm requiring registration with ATF’s NFA Branch. Making an unregistered “AOW” is punishable by a fine and 10 years’ imprisonment. Additionally, possession of an unregistered “AOW” is also punishable by fine and 10 years’ imprisonment.

To lawfully add a vertical fore grip to a handgun, a person must make an appropriate application on ATF Form 1, “Application to Make and Register a Firearm.” The applicant must submit the completed form, along with a fingerprint card bearing the applicant’s fingerprints; a photograph; and $200.00. The application will be reviewed by the NFA Branch. If the applicant is not prohibited from possessing a firearm under Federal, State, or local law, and possession of an “AOW” is not prohibited in the applicant’s State of residence, the form will be approved. Only then may the person add a vertical fore grip to the designated handgun.

A person may also send the handgun to a person licensed to manufacture NFA weapons. The manufacturer will install the fore grip on the firearm and register the firearm on an ATF Form 2. The manufacturer can then transfer the firearm back to the individual on an ATF Form 4, which results in a $5.00 transfer tax. If the manufacturer is out of State, the NFA Branch will need a clarification letter submitted with the ATF Form 4 so that the NFA Branch Examiner will know the circumstances of the transfer. Questions can be directed to the NFA Branch or the Firearms Technology Branch.

Because adding that vertical foregrip makes your AK pistol so much scarier and effective

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